When I first heard El Paso by Marty Robbins, and this was in the late 50's, I thought it was one of the longest songs I have listened to, because, comparatively, pop songs of yesteryear were only two to three minutes in duration, and another minute would be mighty trying. But checking the statistics today, I found it was only four and a half minutes, a fraction of the length of some songs today.
El Paso was a ballad [slow song, themes of love, loss, etc.], in this instance, a gunfighter's tale to tell but definitely a bit lengthy for me. Today, it's a different mouse tale. Imagine the longest song in the Guinness Book of Records called Devil Glitch to be 69 minutes in length. But even then, there are many songs that are longer, as current rock and rap lyrics can be.
Donna Summer's Love To Love You Baby, a 70's disco number is something else. With up to 10 million views, there's something special to it but then, it's just disco muse with the title repeated... Oh. Nearly 17 minutes.
The very short list below are songs I am familiar with and very much on the top 10 before. They are pretty lengthy for me.
If you know any 60's or 70's popular songs with more interesting vital statistics, just send in the details.
Songs From the 60s and 70s With Duration
1 Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan - [6 minutes, 9 seconds]
2 Hey Jude - Beatles - 7.11
3 McArthur Park - Richard Harris - 7.21
4 American Pie Don McClean - 8.37 [featured in 2021 movie, 'Black Widow']
5 El Paso - Marty Robbins - 4.38 [for comparison]
6 November Rain - Guns n Roses - 8.37
7 Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin - 8.03
8 Love To Love You Baby -Donna Summer - 16.53
9 Chariots Of Fire - 20.41 [instrumental]
10 The Boxer - Simon n Garfunkel [5.08]'''
11 Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Madonna [5.30]'''
10 Devil Glitch - Chris Butler - 69.00
'''Contributed by suituapui.
Images Google.
That's cool 60's Music <3
ReplyDeleteThis song is around 9 minutes long.
ReplyDelete[reference to AMERICAN PIE]
These artistes are my favourite singers.
ReplyDeleteSurely Stephen and Anthony.
ReplyDeleteThe songs are many minutes long.
AMERICAN PIE by DON McLEAN is featured in current Avengers movie, BLACK WIDOW.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE AND COMMENTS.
Don't cry for me, Argentina is very long too! And The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel, both over 5 minutes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteYes, I guess they are too.
Will add them to the posted list.
Yes Andy
ReplyDeleteI used to sing Al Paso when I was In Jockeys Pub with The Moonglows and it had 6 pages ! Singing, Drumming & turning of the pagers, now that’s what U call Multi Tasking !!
ReplyDeleteI always love your sense of humour Cedric.
It's more than multi-tasking.
It's a geniusin the music business.
Thanks for such a comment.
It reveals what true musicians are; they work hard.
CHEERS BRO.
ALSO THANKS TO ALL WHO TOOK SOME TROUBLE TO MAKE A COMMENT.
Macarthur Park?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAC Thompson thanks for the question.
Sorry if I didn't answer earlier.
Yes, it is.
Familiar, are you.
Beautiful song actually.
Why is MacArthur Park the worst song?
ReplyDelete"MacArthur Park" has been recorded by everybody from Donna Summer to the Four Tops to Frank Sinatra. It was written by Jimmy Webb about the end of his relationship with Susan Ronstadt, sister of Linda. The song was originally part of a longer piece that ran for 22 minutes, which is why the Association turned it down.
16 Nov 2011.
El Paso my. fav tune, 'One night, a wild young cowboy came in
ReplyDeleteWild as the West Texas wind...'
I still have this album bought 30 years ago - The Long Versions Pop Classics. This double album is simply fantastic.. from The Eagles to Genesis to Steely Dan to Santana.. it just goes on.. every song is a jewel.
ReplyDeleteI’m 65 years old now and I feel blessed to have experienced these music in my lifetime. Brother Andy, many thanks for this post!
👍❤️🙏
Thanks Fred, for a young man like you and having seen so many live concerts I take off my El Paso hat in admiration and honour.
ReplyDeleteLucky guy. Love this CD that you have.
Groups are favourites for many a fan.
And long versions.
WOW.
CHEERS.
THANK YOU ALL FOR LOVING THIS POST
ReplyDeleteJim Kokkoon Bory
Fred Ching
Charlie Yap Locomotion
Rose Khoo
Koh Sui Pang
Chow Wen Hing
James Kwok
Tom Tom
Foo Jong Fook
Alphonso Soosay
Steve Bala Sirén
Jimmy Appudurai-chua
Francis Anthony Rozells
Ben van der Laan-Hatikustia
Yip Dick
Davy Chan
Stephen Han
Ho Victor
Huina Hyuah